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Wizards Secure AJ Dybantsa as Top Pick AJ Dybantsa, a 6‑ft‑9‑in (2.06 m), 19‑year‑old forward, was chosen by the Washington Wizards with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026. Dybantsa’s College Production and International Accolades After just one season with the Brigham Young University Cougars, Dybantsa posted: 25.5 points per game in 35 starts 6.8 rebounds per game 3.7 assists per game He also led the United States to the 2025 FIBA Under‑19 World Cup title and earned tournament MVP honors. Draft Night Landscape and Rookie Contract Context The second pick went to the Utah Jazz, who selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (6‑ft‑6‑in, 20.2 ppg). The third pick was used by the Memphis Grizzlies to take Cameron Boozer, son of former All‑Star Carlos Boozer, after a 22.5 ppg season at Duke. Under the NBA’s rookie scale, a No. 1 pick signs a four‑year contract worth approximately $10 million in the first two years, setting a financial baseline for the Wizards’ salary‑cap planning. Strategic Implications for the Wizards and the League By adding a versatile, high‑scoring forward, the Wizards aim to accelerate their rebuild after missing the playoffs in recent seasons. Dybantsa’s combination of size, shooting, and international experience offers a potential cornerstone for a young core. The selection also highlights a trend toward drafting players with limited college exposure but proven performance on the global stage. Outlook for Dybantsa and the 2026 Draft Class Analysts expect Dybantsa to contribute immediately, with a projected rookie‑year average of 12‑15 points. His development will be closely watched as the Wizards seek to become playoff contenders by 2028. The broader 2026 draft class, featuring talent like Peterson and Boozer, suggests a deep pool that could reshape multiple franchises over the next few seasons.

The No 1 Overall Pick Will Be AJ Dybantsa AJ Dybantsa is predicted to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, following an impressive season at BYU where he averaged over 25 points per game while shooting better than 51%. His natural length and ability to create his own shot make him a potential future All-Star. This Will Be a Good Draft For College Stars This year's draft is expected to be strong for one-and-done college stars, with several top prospects emerging from NCAA programs. The pay-for-play era in college sports has allowed players to earn millions, develop against high-level competition, and arrive in the NBA better prepared than ever. Which International Player Is Worth Keeping an Eye On? Sergio De Larrea, a guard from Valencia, has impressed scouts with his basketball IQ and feel in the pick-and-roll. Another international player to watch is Karim López, a promising Mexican prospect who played for the New Zealand Breakers and has shown potential as a versatile forward. The Top 10 Will Be... Our writers predict the top 10 picks will be: 1) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, forward, BYU 2) Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas 3) Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, forward, Duke 4) Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina 5) Los Angeles Clippers – Brayden Burries, guard, Arizona 6) Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr, guard, Louisville 7) Sacramento Kings – Kingston Flemings, guard, Houston 8) Atlanta Hawks – Keaton Wagler, guard, Illinois 9) Dallas Mavericks – Darius Acuff Jr, guard, Arkansas 10) Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee